Turn lock

ABSTRACT

A turn lock having a locking element with a square post depending therefrom. A locking element support has a base with an opening extending therethrough and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the base edges in the same direction to form a rectangular cup. The post extends through the base opening and is flanked by the cup. An hour-glass shaped resilient strip locking means is held in the cup and has the opposite sides of its neck configured to opposed V-shaped formations that resiliently engage all four sides of the post in both open and closed positions of the locking element. This prevents the post from swaying and enables it to be detained in both said positions.

United States Patent [1 1 Beilis 541 TURN LOCK [76] Inventor:

Herbert J. Bellis, c/o Beilis Industries, Inc. 196 Wallabout Street, Brooklyn,N.Y. 11206 [22] Filed: Oct. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 78,869

[52] US. Cl ..292/204, 292/D1G. 50 [51] Int. Cl ..E05c 3/04 [58] Field of Search ..292/D1G. 50, 103, 107, 204, 292/209; 24/90, 221, 98

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,405,431 10/1968 Polon ..24/221 R 2,929,122 3/1960 Anderson.... ..24/98 230,814 8/1880 Porter ....24/98 652,959 7/1900 Llu Frio ..24/98 Jan. 9, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A turn lock having a locking element with a square post depending therefrom. A locking element support has a base with an opening extending therethrough and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the base edges in the same direction to form a rectangular cup. The post extends through the base opening and is flanked by the cup. An hour-glass shaped resilient strip locking means is held in the cup and has the opposite sides of its neck configured to opposed V- shapedformations that resiliently engage all four sides of the post in both open and closed positions of the locking element. This prevents the post from swaying and enables it to be detained in both said positions.

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' FIG. 5 36 INVENTOR HERBERT J. BEILIS wwzdm/q Mag/M 0 (5171A f P -ur ATTORNEYS TURN LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Turn locks.

2. Description of the Prior Art Turn locks include a rotatable elongated locking element having a depending post. Usually, the post extends through an opening in a support member which houses post locking means for preventing the post and locking element from freely rotating and for detaining the post and locking element in certain rotational orientations corresponding to open and closed position of the turn lock.

Turn locks of this kind are most frequently used in womens pocketbooks and are generally secured adjacent the free edge of a side of the pocket-book and are inturned (clinched) to secure the turn lock to the pocket-book. The flap of the pocketbook includes an oblong slot which can be placed over the locking element after closing the pocket-book and when the long dimension of the locking element is so positioned as to be parallel to the slot length. When the flap of the pocket-book is positioned with the locking element projecting through the flap slot the locking element can be rotated 90 locking the flap of the pocket-book in a pocket-book closing mode.

There have been certain drawbacks associated with the prior art turn locks of the type herein described which have greatly limited their value. One such drawback was that the post locking means did not reliably secure the post and locking element in those orientations required for maintaining the pocket-book flap shut. Thus, quite often the pocket-book flap inadvertently opened due to the locking element rotating out of a locking orientation as a result of the locking element receiving a slight impact. This, of course, was undesirable, since the contents of the pocket-book could then easily fall out and become lost. Additionally, if the flap inadvertently opened, this increased the chances of somebody illicitly taking some of the contents from the pocket-book.

A further drawback of turn locks of the type herein described was that the locking element could sway relative to the post locking means support member. The ability of the locking member to so sway decreased the service life of the turn lock and such instability of the locking member lessened the confidence of the purchaser in the durability and desirability of locks of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved turn lock of the kind herein described.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved turn lock of the type herein described wherein the locking element will be firmly held in certain orientations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a turn lock of the kind herein described wherein the locking element is prevented from swaying.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a turn lock of the type herein described which has a long service life.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a device having a lock-element with a square post depending therefrom and functionally integral therewith. A locking element support member has a base with an opening extending therethrough and four edges at its periphery. Flanges extend from each of these edges in the same direction perpendicularly away from the base to form a cup. The post extends through the base opening and is flanked by the cup.

An hour-glass shaped strip resilient locking means having an enlarged center portion (neck) is located adjacent the bottom of the base within the flanges. The locking means includes four locking arms in the form of opposed V-shaped formations which are respectively in resilient pressure contact with all four sides of the post in the open and closed positions of the locking element. The first and second of the locking arms meet and form one V-shaped formation of the enlarged center portion of the hour-glass shaped locking means and define an included angle which is less than 120 degrees and preferably does not exceed degrees. The third and fourth of the locking arms meet and form another V- shaped formation that is opposed to that formed by the first and second locking arms at the enlarged center portion of the locking means and also define an included angle which preferably is equal to the angle defined between the first and second locking arms. The open mouths of the Vs face one another. The two base (enlarged) portions of the hour-glass shaped locking means are located adjacent two of the flanges which are parallel to each other. By having the post square and the locking arms each in contact with a different side of the post in either of its two operative positions, a very secure grip on the post is obtained which, moreover, is snap action, i.e. biasing the post from median positions toward either operative position. When the post is rotated, the locking arms move radially outwardly as they cam over the edges between adjacent sides of the post. After the locking arms are moved radially outwardly, they then move radially inwardly and contact the respective sides of the post to firmly grip the post in order to prevent it .from freely rotating. Further, by having the angles between adjacent locking arms less than degrees and preferably slightly less than 90, e.g. 80, the arms tend to be flat against the post sides, increasing the grip thereon.

Other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be apparent in the following description and, in part, will be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, constitutes features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the turn lock arrangements hereinafter described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a turn lock according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the turn lock;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the locking element post and part of the support therefor;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the locking element support; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings a turn lock 10 according to the present invention is seen to include a rotatable locking element 12 having a generally circular cross-section and a central opening 14. While a particular configuration of locking element 12 is shown, it is apparent that any configuration could be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Preferably the locking element is elongated in plan for insertion through an elongated slot in a hasp and can be turned, usually 90, to closed position. The bottom of locking element 12 is flared to provide a stabilizing flange l6 and a four-sided post 18 square in cross-sec tion centrally depends from the bottom portion of locking element 12 and is functionally integral therewith. As shown, the post and locking element are unitarily cast, e.g. by die casting of a die casting zinc alloy.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, post 18 has a square out wardly extending shoulder 18a adjacent its bottommost portion connecting the shoulder with an enlarged head 19. The head is taperes in a direction away from the element 12. The illustrated shape of the head is a square pyramid; however, this specific shape is not material. For example the head could be conical. It only is important that the enlarged base of the head overhang the sides of the post to form a shoulder 18a at each side.

A locking element support 20 is seen in the figures and includes a base 22 which is substantially flat and of oblong shape. (FIG. 6) The base includes a central opening 23 just large enough to pass the head 19. The base has edges 24, 26, 28 and 30 respectively. Flanges 32, 34, 36 and 38 depend from edges 24, 26, 28 and 30 respectively to form a cup. The flanges are all perpendicular to base 22 and extend the same distance in the same direction away thereom. Locking prongs 40 and 42 extend downwardly from flange 36 in one piece therewith, and a similar set of locking prongs extend downwardly in a similar manner from flange 32.

Located adjacent the bottom of base 22 and flanked by the respective flanges is a resilient strip locking means 44 having an hour-glass configuration except for an enlarged center portion 46. Locking means 44 is preferably made from a thin strip of uniform resilient material such as spring steel that is formed to have the configuration seen in the figures. Locking means includes opposed mutually parallel bases 48 and 50 which are positioned adjacent flanges 34 and 38. Opposed bases 48 and 50 include inwardly curved ends 48a and 48b, and 50a and 50b, respectively. Bases 48 and 50 in actual practice will be near or in contact with end flanges 34 and 38, while the curved ends of the bases will be near or in contact with the respective lengthwise flanges 32, 36. It is to be appreciated that FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing clearances which in actual practice are so negligible as to be, in effect,

nonexistent. Legs 52 and 54 converge from the curved ends 50a and 50b of base 50 towards each other and terminate at integral locking arms 56 and 58, respectively. In a like manner, legs 60 and 62 converge towards each other from the curved ends 48a, 48b of base 48 and terminate at integral locking arms 64 and 66, respectively. Locking arms 56 and 64 meet at a V- shaped formation and define an included angle which is less than 120 and preferably is less than 90". Excellent results are obtained if the angle is In a similar manner, locking arms 58 and 66 meet at a V-shaped formation and define an included angle which is preferably equal to the included angle defined by locking arms 56 and 64. The open mouths of the Vs are opposed. As can be seen, the locking-arms converge from their respective legs towards the lengthwise flanges and the intersections of arms 56 and 64 and arms 58 and 66 are spaced from flanges 32 and 36 respectively, to give center portion 46 of the locking means sufficient freedom to flex as post 18 is rotated.

The locking arms can be about 0.015 inches thick as can be the rest of the locking means.

In normal use, shoulder 18a of post 18 is caught beneath the locking arms to prevent the post from being pulled through the opening 23. In repose, i.e. idle condition, the distance between the inner apices of the V-shaped configuration is less than a diagonal of the square post. Moreover, by having locking arms 56 and 64 define an included angle of less than 120 and preferably less than and as a result of a similar arrangement of locking arms 58 and 66, the locking arms tend to flatly engage and be firmly biased against the sides of the post in the two operative positions of the post, i.e. lock closed and lock open. This results in the locking arms providing a snap action when the post is rotated between said positions. The snap action occurs after the locking arms cam over the corners of the rotating post. The locking arms cammingly force the posts to move towards the succeeding operative position. When each locking arm is in contact with a respective side, the post and locking element is secured from accidental rotation. Additionally, the post and locking element cannot sway due to the tight grip on all four sides of the post by the locking arms. The absence of this four-sided engagement was a drawback associated with many of the prior art turn locks which limited their service life and rendered them unreliable in operation. The flange 16 flatly engages the base 22 to further stabilize the post against swaying. To further stabilize the post, a circular step 68 is formed in one piece with the post immediately below the flange 16; said step is a rotatable fit in the opening23 but does not extend below the base 22 where it would interfere with the locking means 44. I

While prongs are shown depending from flanges 32 and 36, it is to be noted that the present invention may be used without these elements, since any technique can be used in securing the support member to a pocket-book.

In those instances wherein the post depending from the turn lock is triangularly shaped as shown in FIG. 7 it is necessary to have locking means arranged to be biased with the sides of the post. The locking means shown in FIG. 7 is identical to the locking means heretofore described except as hereinafter pointed out.

In the locking means of FIG. 7, leg 60 extends to a portion 68, the inside segment of which is in contact with one side of the three-sided locking post. The locking means then flares outwardly via flared portion 70 to a side 72 which is in contact with the length of a second side of the three-sided post. The angle between side 72 and flared portions 70 receives one apex of the threesided locking post. In a similar fashion the part of the locking means which extends from leg 52 is symmetrical with the part of the locking means which extends from leg 60. A locking leg 62 extends to a portion 74 which is parallel to portion 68 and from there flares outwardly via flared portion 76. Flared portion 76 is in alignment with flared portion 70 and contacts the same side of the locking post as does flared side 70. In a similar fashion the part of locking means which extends from locking leg 54 is symmetrical. When the locking post shown in FIG. 7 is rotated, side 72 and sides 76 and 78 move to accommodate to the rotation of the locking post and at all times a portion of the locking means is in contact with a side of the locking post.

Further, while the present invention has been described in conjunction with a pocket-book, it is to be appreciated that this was done for illustrative purposes only, as there are other uses of the present invention.

It is thus apparent that a turn lock is provided which achieves several objects of the invention as well as other objects not specifically herein set forth, and that is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes may be made in the embodiment set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the present invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A turn lock comprising a locking element having a depending locking post, a lock supporting member having a base with an opening therein, said base having a plurality of edges and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the respective edges of the base in the same direction, said locking post having three flat sides forming a triangle and extending through said base opening so as to be flanked by said flanges, resilient locking means located adjacent said base and flanked by said flanges, said resilient locking means having three locking segments and for one orientation of the post the first of said locking segments in contact with the first side of said post, the second of said locking segments in contact with the second side of said post and the third of said locking segments in contact with the third side of said post, said first locking segment being formed from a continuous portion of said resilient locking means, said second locking segment being formed from two separate portions of said resilient locking means and said third locking segment being formed from two separate portions of said resilient locking means.

2. A turn lock according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and third locking segments are spaced from said base flanges.

3. A turn lock comprising a locking element having a depending post, a lock supporting member having a base with an opening therein, said base having a plurality of edges and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the respective edges of the base in the same direction, said locking post having a square cross section, four flat sides and extending through said base opening so as to be flanked by said flanges and spaced from each of said flanges, said post being rotatable with respect to said base between idle and locking positions, resilient locking means located adjacent said base and flanked by said flanges, said resilient locking means having two opposed ends with each of said opposed ends being immediately adjacent a different flange, said resilient locking means being made from a thin resilient strip and including four locking arms all substantially flat, the first and second of said arms being in one piece with each other and defining a V-shaped configuration with an included first angle therebetween, the third and fourth of said locking means being in one piece with each other and defining a V-shaped configuration with an included angle therebetween, the open mouth of said V-shaped configurations being opposed to one another, the V-shaped configuration of said first and second of said locking arms being in contact with the V-shaped configuration of said first and second sides of said post and the third and fourth of said locking arms being in contact with the third and fourth sides of said post when said post is in one orientation, the intersection of said first and second locking arms being spaced from each of said flanges and the intersection of said third and fourth locking arms being spaced from each of said flanges.

4. A tum lock according to claim 3 wherein said first and second angles are equal and each less than 90.

5. A turn lock according to claim 3 wherein said base is oblong and has four edges with there being four flanges which depend from each of the base edges, the first and second of said flanges being parallel, in mutual registry and perpendicular to the third and fourth flanges which are parallel and in mutual registry, said locking means further including opposed first and second sides with spaced portions of said first and I I first and second flanges, respectively.

6. A turn lock according to claim 5 whereinthe post terminates in an enlarged head having shoulders which catch between the V-shaped configurations and prevent withdrawal of the post from the locking means.

7. A turn lock according to claim 3 wherein four flanges are provided, said first and second flanges being parallel to each other and in registry with each other while being perpendicular to the third and fourth flanges, said third and fourth flanges being parallel to each other, in registry and perpendicular to said first and second flanges, said opposed ends of said resilient locking means being immediately adjacent the first and second flanges, respectively, said resilient locking means including first and third curved sections adjacent, flanking and joined to said opposed end immediately adjacent the second flange and a second and fourth curved section adjacent, flanking and joined to the opposed end immediately adjacent the second flange, said first and second curved sections nested immediately adjacent said third flange and said third and fourth curved sections nested immediately adjacent said fourth flange, means joining said first curved sec tion to said first locking arm, means joining said second curved section to said second locking arm, means joining said third curved section to said third locking arm, means joining said fourth curved section to said fourth locking arm, and said opposed ends being the same length and in registry with each other. 

1. A turn lock comprising a locking element having a depending locking post, a lock supporting member having a base with an opening therein, said base having a plurality of edges and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the respective edges of the base in the same direction, said locking post having three flat sides forming a triangle and extending through said base opening so as to be flanked by said flanges, resilient locking means located adjacent said base and flanked by said flanges, said resilient locking means having three locking segments and for one orientation of the post the first of said locking segments in contact with the first side of said post, the second of said locking segments in contact with the second side of said post and the third of said locking segments in contact with the third side of said post, said first locking segment being formed from a continuous portion of said resilient locking means, said second locking segment being formed from two separate portions of said resilient locking means and said third locking segment being formed from two separate portions of said resilient locking means.
 2. A turn lock according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and third locking segments are spaced from said base flanges.
 3. A turn lock comprising a locking element having a depending post, a lock supporting member having a base with an opening therein, said base having a plurality of edges and flanges extending perpendicularly away from the respective edges of the base in the same direction, said locking post having a square cross section, four flat sides and extending through said base opening so as to be flanked by said flanges and spaced from each of said flanges, said post being rotatable with respect to said base between idle and locking positions, resilient locking means located adjacent said base and flanked by said flanges, said resilient locking means having two opposed ends with each of said opposed ends being immediately adjacent a different flange, said resilient locking means being made from a thin resilient strip and including four locking arms all substantially flat, the first and second of said arms being in one piece with each other and defining a V-shaped configuration with an included first angle therebetween, the third and fourth of said locking means being in one piece with each other and defining a V-shaped configuration with an included angle therebetween, the open mouth of said V-shaped configurations being opposed to one another, the V-shaped configuration of said first and second of said locking arms being in contact with the V-shaped configuration of said first and second sides of said post and the third and fourth of said locking arms being in contact with the third and fourth sides of said post when said post is in one orientation, the intersection of said first and second locking arms being spaced from each of said flanges and the intersection of said third and fourth locking arms being spaced from each of said flanges.
 4. A turn lock according to claim 3 wherein said first and second angles are equal and each less than 90*.
 5. A turn lock according to claim 3 wherein said base is oblong and has four edges with there being four flanges which depend from each of the base edges, the first and second of said flanges being parallel, in mutual registry and perpendicular to the third and fourth flanges which are parallel and in mutual registry, said locking means further including opposed first and second sides with spaced portions of said first and second sides being nested adjacent said third and fourth flanges, respectively, and said resilient locking means opposed ends being immediately adjacent the first and second fLanges, respectively.
 6. A turn lock according to claim 5 wherein the post terminates in an enlarged head having shoulders which catch between the V-shaped configurations and prevent withdrawal of the post from the locking means.
 7. A turn lock according to claim 3 wherein four flanges are provided, said first and second flanges being parallel to each other and in registry with each other while being perpendicular to the third and fourth flanges, said third and fourth flanges being parallel to each other, in registry and perpendicular to said first and second flanges, said opposed ends of said resilient locking means being immediately adjacent the first and second flanges, respectively, said resilient locking means including first and third curved sections adjacent, flanking and joined to said opposed end immediately adjacent the second flange and a second and fourth curved section adjacent, flanking and joined to the opposed end immediately adjacent the second flange, said first and second curved sections nested immediately adjacent said third flange and said third and fourth curved sections nested immediately adjacent said fourth flange, means joining said first curved section to said first locking arm, means joining said second curved section to said second locking arm, means joining said third curved section to said third locking arm, means joining said fourth curved section to said fourth locking arm, and said opposed ends being the same length and in registry with each other. 